Militants' atrocities spread fear in Manipur villages

Imphal, Oct.11 (ANI): The unabated violence caused by militant activities has taken a heavy toll on the psyche of the people of Manipur.

Tension gripped Happyland and Chingnugkok villages recently after two abducted villagers were found murdered.

Around eleven militant cadres entered Happyland village searching for the village chief. However, on failing to find the desired person they abducted two men along with them.

While leaving the place, they also set on fire the house of the Khullakpa of Happyland. Property worth rupees 200,000 that included 10 bundles of GI Sheets, utensils, clothing and a cash amount of rupees 20,000 meant for village development fund and other documents kept inside the house were destroyed in the fire.

The abducted duo identified as N K. Joyson and S. Vencher was later found dead with multiple bullet injuries near Chinungkok village, under Imphal east district.

Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) has taken the responsibility for the abduction and killing.

The incident caused the panic-stricken villagers run away from their houses.

"If they continue to attack villages, how will we live? We don't want this to happen. We appeal to the militants and those organizations not to target the public. We want to live in peace with all the communities without any division between the hill and valley people. This is what we want," said Simon, an elderly villager in Happyland.

"We are really suffering because of such problems. We are not able to work, eat and sleep properly due to constant fear. We are really troubled," said Homila, another villager in Happyland

Amidst mounting tension, residents of the two villages later held a meeting in Happy Land. A joint action committee was formed to look into maintaining peace in the area and defend the villages from armed groups.

"We are here for this joint meeting and we have formed a peace committee to take up the issue. We appeal to all the concerned to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. The two villages have come together to stop the violence and we appeal to the militants not to indulge in such activities, which destroy peaceful coexistence," said Subhashchandra Singh, a resident of Chingnungkok village.

The committee also submitted a memorandum for punishing the guilty and deploying security forces in the region. An ex-gratia payment for the victim's families has also been demanded.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh assured the people that a new house of the village chief would be constructed, payment would be made to the families of the two victims and security would be provided in the villages by October 16. (ANI)